Gold Coast Professional Photographers Association is committed to advancing photographic excellence and maintaining the highest standards of ethical practices and conduct. GCPPA membership represents full-time and part-time studio owners, independent commercial and industrial photographers, students, educators and individuals or firms servicing the industry. GCPPA is affiliated with the Professional Photographers of California and the Professional Photographers of America. As a local non-profit association, GCPPA supplies the professional photographer the tools, contacts, information and resources to help them advance and succeed in this growing profession. 

Why Join Gold Coast Professional Photographers Association? 

GCPPA dynamic guest speakers during its calendar year designed to educate and help grow your business. Educational topics include, portraiture, lighting techniques, posing techniques, Photoshop, Lightroom, business, marketing and sales, fine art, commercial photography.
Meetings are held the third Monday of the month beginning at 6:30 p.m. Normally held at the Radisson Hotel in Santa Maria, we occasionally conduct studio shares so you can see how others work.

Admission to the monthly general meetings is free for premium members and $10 for non-premium members. Admission for non-member guests is $25.00, which is applicable toward GCPPA membership dues.

• Print Competitions

GCPPA offers FOUR digital print competitions benefitting from a selected panel of three judges and open to GCPPA members. When you participate in GCPPA’s Print Competitions, you can't help but improve your photographic skills. Four of our monthly meetings each year are devoted to print competition.  We select three experienced judges, most of who have their PPA Masters of Photography degree to critique your images.  Award possibilities include Best of Show, Best of Class and Merit Images. We award our GCPPA Photographer of the Year from among our quarterly winners. (You must read GCPPA print comp rules prior to submitting your images.)

• In Focus

Network with the Central Coast’s leading photographers.
Make new friends and gain support to achieve your own professional goals.

• Photographers' Library

GCPPA maintains a DVD library of videos, tutorials, and books of photographic materials for members who wish to review programs in the privacy of their own homes or studios.  For a nominal fee, these programs allow members ample time to review information and then put it to immediate use in their own business.  This valuable service is available to members only.

• West Coast School Scholarship

Each year, GCPPA gives away a West Coast School Scholarship, which provides a member (who also belongs to the Professional Photographers of California) an opportunity to attend this valuable week of education. Applications for the scholarship are awarded at the end of each calendar year.

• Mentoring

Are you new to photography? Our membership consists of experienced and successful photographers as well as new and aspiring photographers. All our members realize the importance of helping and sharing our photographic knowledge because in teaching, we learn. Our mentoring not only helps with photography and business skills, but also meets the standard of professionalism in our industry. Our annual Holiday Party is held in December, where we simply enjoy each other's company.

• Communication

GCPPA offers a friendly and informative website for both members and potential clients. Our Calendar of Events page is updated with classes, workshops, and seminars. We will even have an App in the near future for those iPhone users who want the convenience of knowing what's going on at GCPPA at their fingertips. It's a happening place!

 

Monthly Affiliate Meetings:
Third Monday of Each Month
Radisson Airport Hotel Santa Maria

6:30 p.m. Meet and Greet
7:00 p.m. Meeting